“USE IN WELL-VENTILATED AREA”?

Abstract

The warning “Use in a Well-Ventilated Area” often found on material safety data sheets (MSDSs) or equipment specifications is not adequate. This admonition provides no specific information or guidance that would allow safety, industrial hygiene, or facility engineering functions to anticipate, design, or achieve a workplace that will protect occupants. This article presents a method for manufacturers of equipment, consumer goods, or industrial process systems to enhance product stewardship by quantifying the total volatile emission rates of a unit of equipment and then specifying the number of total air changes required per unit to assure a workplace atmosphere below acceptable inhalation exposure guidelines or regulatory limits. It is proposed that manufacturers and distributors of equipment, consumer goods, or industrial process units provide MSDS information specifying the number of air changes per hour of uncontaminated air that would be required for each device, consumer product, or piece of equipmen...